EXAFS

EXAFS is a technique available at the synchrotron facility MAX IV Laboratory in Lund. The abbreviation stands for Extended X-Ray Absorption Fine Structure.
Using the technique makes it possible to see how close atoms are to each other and this in turn can let you know whether for example how a metal has bound to surrounding organic matter. We used it in the development of a new material but it is very often used in environmental or forensic studies because it is such a sensitive technique and valuable when the species of interest is in a very low concentration.